Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Houthis Near Control of Strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait
The Houthis are fighting forces supported by Saudi Arabia in Yemen.
They are reportedly trying to capture more cities beside the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
This narrow waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Many ships carrying oil and other goods use it.
If one side controls or blocks the strait, shipping could become more difficult.
The Houthis said Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes in several parts of Yemen.
Saudi Arabia did not confirm those reported strikes.
Saudi officials said recent Houthi attacks wounded at least 73 people in four southern cities.
The fighting threatens to undo a fragile truce that had reduced Yemen’s war.
Houthi forces are reportedly nearing control of coastal cities including Mocha and Dhubab along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Four Yemeni government military sources said fighting with Saudi-backed forces is moving toward a broader war.
The strait is a major route for Gulf oil, fuel and other commodities traveling between the Red Sea, Suez Canal and Asia.
The Houthis claimed Saudi airstrikes hit several Yemeni provinces, but Saudi Arabia did not confirm the strikes.
At least 73 people were wounded in recent Houthi attacks on four southern Saudi cities, according to the Saudi-led coalition.
- Who
- Iran-aligned Houthi forces and Saudi-backed forces supporting Yemen’s internationally backed government.
- What
- Fighting has intensified as the Houthis reportedly move toward control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and greater leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- When
- In recent days; the report was published on Thursday, September 10.
- Where
- Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including Mocha and Dhubab, and southern Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The Houthis seek control of strategically important coastal territory, while the conflict threatens shipping and energy supplies through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Houthi position and claims
Saudi-backed government and coalition position
Control of the Red Sea coast
Houthi position and claims
The Iran-aligned Houthis are reportedly pushing to take control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast, including areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Saudi-backed government and coalition position
Saudi-backed forces supporting Yemen’s internationally backed government are fighting the Houthi advance, with the conflict reportedly moving toward a resumption of full-scale war.
Airstrikes and attacks
Houthi position and claims
The Houthis said Saudi strikes hit several Yemeni provinces and said they attacked a Saudi airbase and nearby oil infrastructure.
Saudi-backed government and coalition position
Saudi Arabia did not confirm the reported strikes, while the Saudi-led coalition said the Houthis continued attacking national assets and infrastructure.
Impact on civilians and infrastructure
Houthi position and claims
The Houthis described their attacks as targeting Saudi military and oil-related sites.
Saudi-backed government and coalition position
The Saudi-led coalition said recent Houthi attacks wounded at least 73 people in four southern Saudi cities and targeted national assets and infrastructure.
- Strategic waterway
- Bab el-Mandeb is the southern outlet of the Red Sea, between Yemen and the African coast.
- Key coastal cities
- The Houthis were reportedly nearing control of Mocha and Dhubab.
- Shipping importance
- The strait carries crude oil, fuel and other commodities between the Gulf, the Mediterranean and Asia.
- Truce
- A United Nations-brokered truce in 2022 largely halted years of war but remains fragile.
- Recent casualties
- The Saudi-led coalition said at least 73 people were wounded in recent Houthi attacks on four southern Saudi cities.
- Saudi alert
- Saudi civil defence issued an all-clear after an emergency alert in Khamis Mushait, the fourth in 24 hours.
- Reported airstrikes
- The Houthis said Saudi strikes hit Jawaf, Marib, Saada, Taiz and al-Hodeidah; Saudi Arabia did not confirm them.